Yankees catcher Chris Stewart is safe at home on an RBI double by Alex Rodriguez as Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters waits for the throw in the third inning.

Written by

Chad Jennings

For all practical purposes, this space was very nearly filled by an obituary. A loss Tuesday night might not have mathematically eliminated the Yankees from the playoffs, but it would have logically erased all hope.

A year ago, both American League wild-card berths went to teams with 69 losses. The Yankees already have 68. So, when they trailed in the eighth inning - six outs away from another letdown, another blown opportunity - the Yankees seemed to be taking this season's last meaningful breaths.

With those breaths, they hit a double, then a single, then a home run. ...